A DISTRESSED mother fears severe mould and patches of damp in the local authority house she is living in are impacting on her young children's health.

Trina Reilly lives in a council-owned property in Annaly Park in Longford town with her husband Nigel and three children.

She told the Irish Independent that the severe mould growth and patches of damp which have struck several rooms in the house have brought her to the point where she "doesn't even want to live in the house any more".

"At the moment, the plaster is falling off of the walls. We can't even put paint on it, because it runs off the walls," she said.

The mother of three said she now fears the worst for her children, aged six, four and two.

Ms Reilly (25) said that after she lost her job several years ago, the couple fell behind in repayments for the home to the council and found themselves in arrears of €1,500. She has recently been making repayments of €12 per week.

Ms Reilly also said it was indicated to her by a local councillor that her home may not be getting the required upgrades due to her arrears.

She is now worried over the long-term effects that these conditions may have on her children's health, particularly her youngest daughter Ally who was born with "constantly runny eyes" and now has a "constant rattle in her chest".

Longford deputy mayor Seamus Butler said that he would not comment on the "particular issue of a particular person", but admitted that there is "a problem with a section of our housing stock".